The Attari–Wagah border crossing from Amritsar to Lahore has been closed since May 1, 2025, following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people. All cross-border travel remains suspended, and no reopening date has been announced.
If you plan to cross this border, please check in advance whether it has reopened.
For many travellers despite much Googling and anticipation there is still the somewhat dreaded wonder if it is truly possible to cross the Wagah Border overland from Amritsar to Lahore.
But be assured; it definitely is.
The Wagah Border crossing is the most convenient way of traveling overland between India and Pakistan.
We first crossed the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan two years ago and have since crossed again from Amritsar to Lahore twice more over the last 12 months.
Here is our updated guide to the Wagah Border Crossing from Amritsar to Lahore (Attari to Wagah) between India and Pakistan.
About the India Pakistan Border
The Wagah Border is arguably the most famous international boundary in South Asia. Serving as the primary land artery between India and Pakistan, it sits roughly halfway between the historic cities of Amritsar and Lahore.
While travelers often use “Wagah” as a catch-all term, the crossing actually involves two distinct border towns:
- Wagah (Pakistan): A small village in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
- Attari (India): The corresponding town on the Indian side.
Because of this, you may hear it referred to as the Attari-Wagah Border. However, in global travel circles, it is most commonly known simply as the ‘Wagah Border‘.
A Unique Border Crossing
This location holds immense strategic and symbolic importance for several reasons.
Every evening, the border becomes the stage for a spectacular “Beating Retreat” ceremony. Soldiers from both the Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) perform a highly choreographed, high-kicking drill as the national flags are lowered for the night.
Plus for many, it is more than just a checkpoint; it is a poignant reminder of the shared history and the 1947 Partition of the Punjab region.
- Tip: Despite the two nations sharing a massive 3,000-kilometer-long border, Wagah remains the only functional land border crossing currently open for international travelers and trade between the two countries.
Crossing the Wagah Border Amritsar to Lahore
What kind of visa do you need to cross the Wagah Border from Amritsar to Lahore?
Crossing the India Pakistan Border from Amritsar to Lahore means you will need a visa for Pakistan.
For most nationalities you can apply for a Pakistan Tourist Visa online.
Once you have received electronic approval (your Electronic Tourist Visa for Pakistan has been granted) you need to print the document out to bring with you for the border crossing.
Getting There: Wagah Border Amritsar to Lahore
What is the best way to get from Amritsar to the Wagah Border (Attari)?
The Wagah Border is about 25km from Amritsar.
By taxi, the drive from Amritsar to Attari and the Wagah Border Crossing takes about 40 minutes.
How much does it cost to get a taxi from Amritsar to the Wagah Border?
For a taxi from our hotel in Amritsar to the India Pakistan Border at Attari cost 1500 INR ($18 USD).
A return taxi would be more economical – but we aren’t coming back this way. 🙂
Indian Side (Attari): Wagah Border Amritsar to Lahore
Crossing India into Pakistan from Amritsar to Lahore at the Attari-Wagah Border is a coordinated, multi-step process.
Because it is a high-security zone, you will move through several layers of checks before reaching the Zero Line.
1. Arrival and Initial Check
Your taxi or rickshaw from Amritsar will drop you at the main entrance of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Attari.
You will encounter the first military checkpoint here. You must present your passport and a valid Pakistan visa (physical or e-visa printout) to enter the terminal grounds.
From the main gate, it is approximately a 200-metre walk to the main terminal building. Porter services are usually available if you have heavy luggage.
2. Immigration & Customs
Inside the terminal, the process feels much like a small international airport:
- Entry Recording: Your passport details are manually logged or scanned as you enter the building.
- Baggage Scan #1: All personal items must pass through an X-ray scanner immediately upon entry.
- Immigration: Proceed to the immigration counters. Here, you will fill out a standard Departure Card. An officer will verify your visa, take your thumbprints or photo if required, and stamp your passport out of India.
- Customs: After immigration, your luggage undergoes a final customs scan. Officers may ask if you are carrying any restricted items or large amounts of currency.
3. The Border Shuttle
Once cleared by customs, you will exit the rear of the building to the shuttle area.
A small shuttle bus (for the 2-minute ride!) transports travellers from the terminal building to the actual border gates.
As you hop off the bus, there is one last verification of your passport and exit stamp.
4. Crossing the ‘Zero Line’
You will now find yourself walking through the famous stadium area used for the evening ceremony.
You’ll walk toward the towering metal gates.
If you’ve seen the ceremony on TV, this is where the high-kicking action happens!
After a final check and nod from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), you will physically step across the white line on the ground into Pakistan.
Head onwards to the Pakistan Border Terminal.
Facilities: Wagah Border Amritsar to Lahore
Can you change money at the India Pakistan Wagah Border?
Technically no. There is a dilapidated ATM in the Pakistan Border Terminal though it definitely hasn’t worked for a long time.
But; despite this technicality there are porters (unofficial money-changers) that will approach you and ask about exchanging money between the Pakistan Border Line and entering the Border Terminal building.
The rate isn’t fabulous. But I would recommend exchanging a small amount of INR for PKR to get a taxi and find your hotel until you get your bearings.
Pakistan Side (Wagah): Amritsar to Lahore
Once you step across the ‘Zero Line‘ from India, you are officially in Pakistan.
The atmosphere shifts immediately as you are greeted by the Pakistan Rangers.
It is a different kind of friendly with a bit more shock at seeing travellers arriving from far away!
The process on this side is generally straightforward but involves a bit more verbal questioning regarding your travel plans.
1. Crossing the Zero Line
After walking past the ceremonial gates and the colourful stands of the stadium, you will see porters (in distinctive green uniforms).
Look for the brick building on the right-hand side of the main road.
This is the official Pakistan Border Terminal for arrivals.
2. Immigration and Visa Processing
You will be directed to the immigration counters.
Here, the officers will verify your Passport and Pakistan Visa (or e-visa).
Once satisfied, the officer will stamp your passport with your official entry date.
3. Immigration Interview
Either at the immigration booth or at a final desk just before the exit, an officer will record your local contact details.
You will be asked where you are staying tonight with the exact name, address and phone number of the accommodation.
They are quite thorough with this data entry, so have the following ready (printed or saved offline):
- Accommodation: The exact name, full address, and local phone number of your hotel or host in Lahore.
- Travel Itinerary: A brief list of other cities you plan to visit (e.g., Islamabad, Gilgit, Skardu).
- Departure Info: Your intended departure date and the airport you plan to fly out of.
4. Final Customs and Exit
Your luggage will go through a final X-ray scan.
Once cleared, you will exit through the rear of the building.
Beyond the security perimeter, you will find a parking area where taxis and rickshaws wait to take you on the 25km journey into Lahore.
Welcome to Pakistan!
Getting to Lahore From the Wagah Border Crossing (Wagah)
As you exit the Pakistan Border Terminal – welcome to Pakistan by the way! – there is a short walk of 100m to the main parking area with a few small food kiosks and chai shops. (These are the busy food stands selling snacks each night to the Wagah Border Ceremony).
From here you have two options:
- Walk to Wagah: You can walk along the road to the closest town (Wagah) and get an auto-rickshaw or taxi from there. Wagah is about 600m from the Border Crossing.
- Negotiate a Taxi: Or you can negotiate with the very limited selection of (possibly two or three) taxis that will likely want your business to get from the border to Lahore.
On our most recent crossing from Amritsar to Lahore the drivers started their negotiations at 5000 PKR for the taxi ride. But having done this crossing twice already before we know it shouldn’t cost that much.
Of course you do also need to be realistic as there are limited taxis waiting at the border.
But in the end, we negotiated a fare of 3000 PKR (about $10 USD). It was a 40-minute drive from the Wagah Border to our hotel in Gulberg, Lahore.
Crossing the Wagah Border Amritsar to Lahore
Most recently we had a smooth border crossing from Amritsar to Lahore.
It takes around 40-minutes on each side to get from the city to the border crossing. Then the actual Wagah Border Crossing takes around two hours.
Our latest crossing was easy with nothing outstanding to report. Staff on both sides are friendly and the process of immigration (both) and visa (for Pakistan) was straightforward.
If you have any questions about crossing the Wagah Border from Amritsar to Lahore leave us a message below.
Happy travels!
Accommodation in Amritsar and Lahore
These are the accommodation places that we stay in Amritsar and Lahore before and after crossing the Wagah Border:
- Amritsar: Hyatt Regency
Great base and refreshing starting point to cross the Wagah Border Amritsar to Lahore. The hotel has a huge restaurant (delicious!) and amazing buffet breakfast, spa onsite and swimming pool with gym. Staff are amazing!
- Amritsar: Hotel Sapphire
Budget (basic) hotel but with amazing view from upstairs room balconies over Golden Temple. Staff are helpful and can book taxi one-way to Wagah Border Amritsar to Lahore.
- Lahore: Grand Millennium Hotel
Our third time staying here in Lahore. Closer to the Old City (and closer to Savour Foods for easy dinner!). Breakfast is simple buffet with eggs to order. All rooms have nice bathroom and a window (definitely a luxury!).
- Lahore: Rose Palace Hotel
Another great friendly hotel we recommend and good base for your first night in Pakistan. Simple, large rooms with a sizeable buffet breakfast.
Rose Palace is also a five minute walk to our favourite restaurant in Lahore: Spice Bazaar (which we highly recommend!).
Read More About Travel in Pakistan
- 15 Things To Do In Multan.
- 10 Things To Do In Islamabad.
- Day Trip Islamabad To Murree.
- 8 Things To Do In Islamabad With Kids.
- Day Trip Islamabad To Taxila.
- Crossing The Border From Pakistan To India.
- Review Of The Ramada By Wyndham In Multan.
- 10 Day Punjab India & Pakistan Itinerary.
Travel Planning for India, Pakistan & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. (We love the flexible cancellation policy!).
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Find everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).